Maidenhead United Women fail to take chances in disappointing defeat

Gemma Harvey, who this week secured an undergraduate place to represent Oklahoma City University

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Maidenhead United Women produced one of their most disappointing performances of the season in Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Keynsham Town, a result which saw their hosts leapfrog them to move ninth in the FA Women’s National League Division 1 South West table.

Ed Jackson-Sankey’s side were far from clinical as they frittered away decent chances to take something from the game in Somerset.

The home side also played the entirety of the second half with only 10 players having lost Brooke Stirrup to a red card for violent conduct on the stroke of half-time. Midway through the second half, referee Levi Gray awarded a penalty to Keynsham following a foul in the area by Kajal Malhotra, but the Magpies were let off as Naomi Clipston sent her spot kick over the top of Gemma Harvey’s goal.

United had been chasing the game from the first minute after Clipston scrambled the ball into the net from close range, despite Harvey’s best efforts to keep it out.

Megan Halfacree was then sent through on goal, but failed to beat Keynsham keeper Charlotte Haynes and a frustrating first half was summed up when Aleasha Lunn and Halfacree limped off with injuries to be replaced by Ines Cipriano and Eva-Leanne Thomas.

In truth, the Magpies were below par all afternoon and the home side deservedly wrapped up the points in the final 15 minutes when Jade Munro beat Harvey at her near post. The Magpies ‘keeper saved well from Vicky Vipond in the closing stages before Clipston chipped Harvey only to see the ball rebound back off the far post.

Maidenhead mustered plenty of efforts off target in the second period as they left their shooting boots in Berkshire. United host basement side AFC St Austell on Sunday afternoon, March 12 at Burnham FC in a 2pm kick off. Admission will be free to MUFC season ticket holders on presentation of their season card, otherwise cash-only admission is priced at £5 adults, £3 concessions and £1 for under 16s.